Josh’s voice stays calm, but I can still hear the urgency in it.
“She’s having the baby here.”
“What?!” I shriek. Another contraction crashes through me, and I scream this time, grabbing the sheets.
“Okay, okay,” Josh says quickly. “Veronica, I need you to listen to me. Everything is going to be okay. We’re going to deliver the baby here, and then go to the hospital. Women deliver at home all the time and I’m a doctor, remember?. It’s going to be okay. We’re here. We’ll keep you and the baby safe. I promise.”
He looks over toward Luke and Hank.
“Hank, get me my medical bag from the closet by the front door. After that get me some towels . and a clean sheet. Then call an ambulance. Tell them she’s in labor and fully dilated.”
Hank grabs his phone so fast that he almost drops it. “Okay, I can do that,” he says.
“Luke,” Josh says firmly, “come here. Get on the bed beside her and hold her hand.”
Luke rushes over, climbing on the bed immediately, moving right through the spot I soaked.
“I’m here,” he says, grabbing my hand.
“Stay with her,” Josh tells him. “Help her breathe. Hank, when you’re done, come hold her other hand. I’m going to need the two of you to help her.”
I clutch Luke’s hand as another contraction hits.
“Oh God,” I pant. “I can’t—”
“Yes, you can,” Josh says, his voice tight but determined. “You’ve got this.”
Across the room Hank is pacing, phone pressed to his ear. “Yes…yes…she’s in labor…our friend’s a doctor, but he says the baby’s coming now!” He’s running his hand through his now grown out brown hair, tugging on the ends.
Josh moves between my legs, his expression completely focused.
“Okay, Veronica,” he says gently. “Next contraction, you’re going to push.”
My eyes go wide.
“I’m not ready!”
“You are,” he says firmly. “Our baby is ready to be here. To meet his mama, and daddies.”
The pain builds again, stronger than anything before.
“Oh God!” I cry.
“Push,” Josh orders.
I scream as I bear down, Luke gripping my hand, while Hank drops the phone and rushes to the bed, dropping down on the floor beside me.
“You’re doing great,” Josh says. “I can see the head. Luke, Hank, I need you to take her knees and pull them toward her.” They do just as he says, and when the contraction hits, I push.
Hank presses his forehead to mine. “You’re amazing,” he murmurs.
Sirens wail faintly in the distance, growing louder. They’re coming. Maybe I can still make it to the hospital. Just tell this baby to stay in until I can get the good drugs.
“One more push,” Josh says.
The contraction hits and I push with everything I have left.
Then suddenly a cry fills the room. High, loud, perfect. For a moment none of us move.
